Month: March 2025
Retrofit of Acton Wastewater Treatment Plant creates sustainable office space that fosters equity, diversity, and inclusion
Halton Region wished to retrofit its decommissioned filter area at the Acton Wastewater Treatment Plant in Halton Hills, ON to create a new, sustainable administrative building designed with equity, diversity, and inclusion in mind. A growing municipality of about 600,000 in southern Ontario, the Region owns and operates seven wastewater treatment plants, as part of its responsibility to provide wastewater management services for the municipality.
Following the construction of a new stand-alone filter building at the Acton Wastewater Treatment Plant, the Region wished to retrofit the decommissioned filter building, repurposing the filter wing and combining it with the office wing to create a new administrative building. This adaptive reuse approach reduces the embodied carbon footprint by minimizing the need for new construction.
The Region engaged Associated Engineering to provide engineering services for the filter building retrofit and various plant upgrades. As the prime consultant, Associated’s scope of work includes critical elements such as the demolition of the existing process infrastructure, building mechanical services for the retrofitted space, and structural retrofit and backfilling of the existing filter tank, and repurposing of the space as offices.
In addition to the retrofit and facility upgrade, the Region wanted to implement energy-saving options to reduce the facility’s environmental impact. Funding is available for green initiatives to support this goal. Project Manager, Roy Gong, shares, “We proposed and reviewed several options with the Region, and completed a feasibility study to document the viability of potential approaches.”
Some of the green initiatives explored to reduce environmental impact included alternative heat sources, such as a hydronic heating system and geothermal heating. The team also investigated the benefits of upgrading the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
Mechanical Designer, Yang An, says, “The existing HVAC system for the office area was old and outdated. We determined the most practical way to serve the retrofitted administrative building is to install roof-top units for conditioning the space. We proposed a new HVAC roof-top unit with better energy-efficiency. Variable air volume boxes are being installed for different rooms to tune the air flow and lower energy consumption when the space is unoccupied.”
During preliminary design, the Region requested that we incorporate Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) concepts into our design, aligning with their new EDI policy. The EDI design concepts significantly altered the original design, in particular the changing rooms, locker rooms, and showers. Roy tells us, “Working closely with our architectural subconsultant, we developed solutions to minimize the impact on the overall design and re-work efforts. The Region acknowledged the scope of these changes and accommodated the additional work required.”
This collaborative approach demonstrated Associated’s commitment to delivering a design that meets Halton’s evolving needs and creates a more inclusive and equitable workspace
During detailed design, the Region asked our team to explore solar thermal wall installation, a technology used to capture and use solar energy to preheat the ventilation air for buildings. Yang explains, “Also known as a transpired solar collector, a solar thermal wall is a passive solar heating system designed to reduce the energy required for heating, especially in industrial and commercial buildings.” Our team’s investigations with a local supplier determined the feasibility of this option.
Currently, the team is working towards tender phase. The project team’s flexibility and agility in responding to the Region’s requested changes, combined with strong communication and a collaborative relationship between the Region, our subconsultants (Brown+Storey Architects and Eramosa Engineering), and our in-house team have created a successful teaming environment and the design of a sustainable workspace that fosters equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Continuous learning and a people-centric approach are Jennifer Privé’s philosophy for a successful career
Today, Jennifer Privé is a Senior Biologist and Manager of the Environmental Sciences team in Vancouver. However, her career in the environmental sciences almost never began; when she was a first-year university student, Jennifer wavered between pursuing a degree in the arts or science. She eventually settled on a major in biology, as it interested her the most, specifically vertebrate biology.
During her studies and early in her career, Jennifer was fortunate to meet and work with some influential people who gave her solid advice. One of these individuals was her supervisor at the time, who was teaching a course at the British Columbia Institute of Technology and suggested environmental science might interest her.
Later, when an opportunity became available, Jennifer took a position at an environmental consulting firm. She shares, “My background in vertebrates and biochemistry turned out to be useful after all dealing with all those fish!”
Early in her career, at the age of 24, Jennifer received a promotion to a management role. She recalls feeling unprepared for the role, so she took courses, learned from others already in the role, and became a keen student of human behaviour.
Three decades later, after working for small firms, large multi-nationals, and as a sole proprietor, Jennifer reflects on the challenges and successes that have shaped who she is now, and admits it is a bit mind boggling. Her constant has been learning something new in every role, and connecting with the people she works with.
Jennifer was actively looking for a change, when she learned about a group manager opportunity with Associated. While she didn’t know much about the company before she joined, except for having previously worked on a successful project with an Associated staff member, the role aligned well with her experience. Jennifer reached out to a friend to learn more and soon after was hired to lead the environmental team in Vancouver.
Jennifer tells us, “I have been involved on many projects and worked with great people, but Associated is like no other firm I’ve ever been at. I’ve worked for three different consulting firms and one large multi-national and none of them had the same cultural philosophy as Associated. When I’m interviewing people I try to describe it and I never quite do it justice; the few times I’ve been close, people have said that sounds too good to be true… but it is true!” Jennifer believes Associated is a very unique firm, as one of a very few medium-sized, employee-owned firms remaining in Canada.
“Our philosophy of focusing on employee development as the core to driving excellent service delivery is unique.”
The common denominator of our project success is the strength of our people. Jennifer believes that managing a project is managing the people delivering it, so being a great communicator and tailoring how you communicate is key to being an excellent consultant.
Reflecting on her own career experiences, Jennifer shares that one’s career goes through three stages. The first ten years is intensive learning. The next ten years is focussed on applying knowledge. And lastly, the following ten years is focussed on teaching others and encouraging continual learning.
Jennifer believes that mentoring is a great opportunity for everyone involved and the best advice comes from people in roles you aspire to be in. She encourages young professionals to seek out role models as mentors.
“Mentors can help build your self awareness, identify your strengths and your opportunities for improvement, provide guidance, and facilitate company support. Young staff need to learn that they control their career, and they need to take initiative.”
Jennifer encourages young professionals to also develop communication skills, including listening, speaking, and writing, in addition to their technical abilities.
In her free time, Jennifer enjoys photography, especially in nature, developing her photography knowledge and skills. She even plans her vacations around her hobby. Jennifer is also currently serving as the Chair of the Discipline Committee for the College of Applied Biology.
Shaping our Shared Future – Rowan Shields
Rowan Shields is a Transportation Structural Engineer with over 15 years of civil structural engineering experience in Canada and overseas. Based in our Edmonton office, he was recently involved in the construction of the Valley Line LRT, a new urban light rail line that connects Edmonton’s downtown core to the city’s southeast. Rowan served as both an Engineer-of-Record and a Field Review Engineer for a variety of structures.
Outside of his professional career and family activities, Rowan volunteers his time in various endeavours. He volunteers with Engineers-in-Action, a non-profit organization that builds sustainable rural infrastructure, and assists the group in building footbridges in the developing world.
Since 2016, Rowan has mentored and acted as the Design Engineer-in-Charge for a University of Alberta student group assisting with these projects. His current involvement in building infrastructure in developing countries stems from his past volunteering work with Bridges to Prosperity, that created Engineers-in-Action for student group projects.
Another of Rowan’s passions is mentoring and coaching players in Australian Rules Football. In addition to various work he has done in Edmonton to support the growth of the sport in Canada, Rowan has served as an assistant coach on the Australian Rules Football Canadian men’s national team since 2017.
Last summer, the team participated in the Transatlantic Cup tournament that also featured men’s and women’s national teams from Great Britain, Ireland, France, the United States, and Colombia. The team advanced to the semi-finals.
As a true builder of vital public infrastructure and high-performance athletic teams, Rowan is demonstrating his commitment to shaping our shared future!
Lee Hang-Liu accepts role as Division Manager, Infrastructure
Associated Engineering is pleased to announce the appointement of Lee Hang-Liu, P.Eng. as Division Manager, Infrastructure in our Calgary office, effective March 17, 2025. She succeeds Duane Strayer, who earlier this month accepted the role of Vice President, Urban Infrastructure.
Since joining Associated Engineering in 2020, Lee has served as Manager, Municipal Infrastructure, bringing over 20 years of experience in the public sector and consulting engineering to projects (including the 37 Street SW Storm Trunk Relocation and the Forest Lawn Lift Station) that have helped to improve communities in southern Alberta. During her career, she has successfully managed deliverables through all phases of projects, including preliminary design, detailed design, and construction administration. Through delivering exceptional service to our clients, Lee’s strategic leadership, people skills, and technical expertise have been positively recognized by her colleagues, project partners, and stakeholders.
Learn more about Lee’s career journey, here.
West Calgary Ring Road project receives Alberta TEC Partnering Award for exemplifying excellence in construction partnering
At the Consulting Engineers of Alberta’s Transportation Connects Alberta Conference earlier this month, the West Calgary Ring Road DB2 – Highway 8 to Old Banff Coach Road Segment project was honoured with a Partnering Award by Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors. The Partnering Awards is a recognition program held annually that celebrates completed contracts that best promotes, adheres to, and optimizes the principles of partnering.
The project team, including Associated Engineering with Tetra Tech (owner’s engineer) and Calgary Safelink Partners (contractor) with Hatch/CIMA+ (design lead), collaborated to address significant challenges and achieve critical milestones. The West Calgary Ring Road DB2 project was a complex undertaking, forming the final phase to the completion of Calgary’s ring road, and work began at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The work involved a range of construction and design challenges, environmental considerations, and safety measures. By prioritizing partnering, innovation, collaboration, and adaptability, the project team successfully overcame significant technical, environmental, and logistical challenges, ensuring the timely delivery of Calgary’s final ring road segment.
This segment of the West Calgary Ring Road, also known as the South project or Design-Build project 2 (DB2), included the construction of five kilometres of new six- and eight-lane freeway, six kilometres of urban crossroads, and several local road connections. The project also included seven new bridges and two bridge-sized culverts. Additionally, 18 overhead sign structures were required for the systems interchange at Stoney Trail/Highway 8 and the interchanges at Old Banff Coach Road, Bow Trail SW, and 17 Avenue SW. The project also involved significant rock excavation, stormwater systems, and extensive utility relocations.
The work spanned from 2020 to 2024 and opened ten months early to traffic in 2023, culminating in a system that enhances regional connectivity and public safety through 101 kilometres of free-flow freeway around the city.
Congratulations to all of the project partners on this incredible achievement and well deserved honour!
Also at the awards event, Associated Engineering was recognized with a Minister’s Award for Transportation Innovation on the Deerfoot Trail Improvements – Alternative Contamination Management project!
Duane Strayer appointed Vice President, Urban Infrastructure
Associated Engineering is pleased to announce Duane Strayer, P.Eng. has accepted the role of Vice President, Urban Infrastructure, effective March 1, 2025. In his new role, Duane will provide technical leadership to staff and clients across the country, as we expand our civil infrastructure practice. He will continue to be based in our Calgary office.
A graduate in Civil Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan, Duane joined Associated Engineering in 1998 as a Senior Civil Engineer and Project Manager, specializing in infrastructure design and construction. Duane has been involved on numerous infrastructure projects across Western Canada, from master plans to conceptual, preliminary and detailed design, construction, and commissioning. In addition, he has taken on roles of increasing responsibility, including Group Manager, Infrastructure and most recently as Division Manager, Infrastructure.
During his career with Associated Engineering, Duane has honed his expertise in the design and construction of linear infrastructure, in particular projects in challenging and congested urban environments and the application of trenchless technologies, such as tunneling and directional drilling. In recognition of his 35 years of civil engineering expertise, when The City of Calgary recently experienced a catastrophic failure with the Bearspaw South Feedermain, Duane and his team provided The City with forensic investigation services, as well as design and field services for the rehabilitation of the damaged feedermain and other deteriorated pipelines.
Congratulations, Duane!
Associated at AWWOA 50th Annual Operators Seminar
We’re pleased to support the Alberta Water & Wastewater Operators Association as they host their milestone 50-year Annual Operators Seminar, begining with tomorrow’s Pre-Seminar Workshops. Once again, several subject matter experts from Associated Engineering’s Water practice have been selected to present in this year’s seminar program over the next several days in Banff, AB.
Monday, March 10th
Pre-Seminar Workshop #1
8:30am–12:00pm
Water Closet to Water Body: A Guide to Upgrading Aging Wastewater Facilities
This workshop will examine the wastewater treatment process for both mechanical wastewater facilities and lagoons
Moderators: Sarah Bruce and Rudy Chan
Presenters: Daniel du Toit, Sarina Loots, Abu Waraich, Shahab Minaei, Klas Ohman and Garry Drachenberg
Thursday, March 13th
11:15am-12:00pm
Session B | Operator Involvement and Leadership: Commissioning at the Glenmore Water Treatment Plant
Co-presenter: Anne Bridgman
11:15am-12:00pm
Session D | “The Field of Dreams” – Water System Contamination to Recovery
Co-presenter: Grant Dixon
1:30pm-2:00pm
Session D | Decoding the Pump Curve and Other Pump Basics
Presenters: Bailey Ferguson and Bob Hawboldt
3:00pm–3:30pm
Session A | Dewatering Technology Upgrade: From Centrifuges to Rotary Presses
Co-presenter: Liva Tessier
Associated wins at 2025 Minister’s Awards for Transportation Innovation in Alberta
Earlier this week at the Consulting Engineers of Alberta‘s Transportation Connects Conference in Edmonton, Associated Engineering and project partner (Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors) received a Minister’s Award for Transportation Innovation for the Deerfoot Trail Improvements – Alternative Contamination Management project!
Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors worked with regulatory agencies to receive a first-of-its-kind approval to implement administrative and engineered controls to re-use impacted soils within the project footprint, thus avoiding the cost of disposal and limiting greenhouse gas emissions from hauling impacts soils and replacing them with clean soils.
Originally constructed in 1971, the Deerfoot Trail has served Calgary well, as it experienced accelerated growth and expansion over the decades, but now exceeded the original expectations of the roadway. Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors and the City of Calgary identified the need to address the volume and capacity issues on this major commuter freeway and key trade corridor, while recognizing the importance of environmental stewardship and sustainable development.
As part of the project planning stage, an environmental evaluation was completed to identify and allocate risks, identify and manage environmental sensitivities, and support the development of procurement documentation and technical requirements. As part of this evaluation, Associated team’s examined soil and groundwater conditions within the project area, which included a Modified Phase I and Limited Phase 2 ESA Environmental Site Assessment.
During this environmental evaluation process, 248 areas of potential contamination were identified within or adjacent to the road right of way. Additionally, there were extensive impacts to the soil from roadway operations. The cost to remove all contaminated soils was projected to be approximately $88 million.
This award-winning innovation can be adapted to future transportation system projects where contamination management may be a concern, and where the import of fill material may not make environmental sense, due to anticipated land use. This applies to both large and small rehabilitation projects or greenfield development projects on lands with known contamination.
Also at the awards event, Associated Engineering was recognized with a Minister’s Award of Excellence for Partnering on a Major Project for the West Calgary Ring Road DB2 project!